Improvement in fish boners and scalers



A. J. WHITNEY. Fish Boner and Sealer.

No. 221,949. Patented Nov. 25,1879.

EssEs;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALICE J. WHITNEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO D. O. WHITNEY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN F|SH BONERS AND SCALERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 22l,949, dated November25, 1879 application filed September 13, 1879.

Improvements in Instruments for Removing the Scales and Extracting the Bones from Fish; and 1 do hereby declare that the following is aclear, full, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the ac co'mpanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form. a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a top view of the boner and sealer combined. Figs. 2 and 3 are side and top views of bo'ner, with sealer detached. Figs.4 and 5 show top view and side elevations of sealer. I

The main object of my invention is to detach the bony skeleton of a fish from the fleshy portion in such a manner that after the operation the flesh shall be in the same general shape as before, remaining compact and showing no marks of mangling.

The shank of boner is a compound curve, as shown at E, Fig. 2, to bring the hand of operator on a parallel plane to the working elliptical blade B. The concavity 0, Figs. 1 and 3, which may be more or less extensive, is to reduce friction caused by passage of blade B through the fish. The surface of blade B is slightly convex, with a uniform taper to the surround ing edge H, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, which is not sharp, to facilitate the purpose for which it is designed.

Set-screw f, Figs. 1 and 5, is for securing sealer to boner. For sealing, the sealer A, Figs. 4 and 5, should be attached to blade B, as in Fig. 1. V

The scaler has a series of teeth, 0 c c 0, Figs. 1, 4, and 5, so formed, as shown, that they will not tear the skin, but will effectually remove the scales. These teeth are placed at an angle to the blade B, to meet the natural movement of the arm of operator. The teeth 0 c c c are also inclined at a slight angle from vertical to work under edges of scales more readily. When scaling is done, remove sealer and rinse blade B for boning.

Directions for boning-First, cut out all fins but those on each side at shoulder, by making an incision at either side of fin and taking it out.

Second, cut off tail, and split fish to tail.

Third, cut across just below line offins left on, on both sides, being careful not to cut through backbone.

Fourth, insert rounded end of blade 13 at the point in last cut where the flesh is thickest, pressing it between flesh and bone for about an inch, and then press out-ward toward belly or open side of fish to liberate the ribs. Replace at point where you left the backbone, press down two or three inches, and out at edge again. When all the ribs are loosened turn blade B sidewise, and press directly down to tail. While doing this hold the fish first by head, till you get started, and then by left hand pressed gently on top of fish to hold in place.

Fifth, when one side is loosened, turn back fieshand turn fish over, leaving the loosened side extended flat, so it will not be under the boner.

Sixth, proceed same with second side.

Seventh, lay fish on back and lift bone from tail'upward till it meets the fin bones at upper part of back. Out at each side of this and lift out the skeleton.

Eighth, pass the finger from shoulder to tail over each side of the fish as it lies on its back, and if a bone has been detached by any means it will be readily detected by the touch and removed.

The fish is left by this process like a slice of meat, and may be handled and cooked in any purpose, or any having the characteristics of 3. The sealer A, in combination with angled mine. teeth 0 0 c 0, openings 61, and set-screw f, all

Having thus described my invention, what substantially as described.

I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 4. A fish-boner, as aforesaid, in combination iswith the sealer aforesaid, all substantially as 1. A fish-boner having a curved shank, E, and for the purpose specified.

in combination With the elliptical blade B and handle c, all substantially as specified. WHITNEY 2. The concavity e, in combination with the WVitnesses:

convex surface h and edges H, all substantially I THOMAS WILY TAYLOR,

as and for the purpose specified. J AS. D. (J. WHITNEY. 

